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Research and Studies

The FieldTurf research resource center is designed to be the most comprehensive collection of documents available. In this section you will find valuable research and general documents pertaining to the safety and performance of artificial turf systems.

Summary: All VOCs were measured at extremely low concentrations that are typical of ambient air concentrations. The average extractable lead concentrations for turf blade, tire crumb infill, and tire crumb rubber were low. Although there are no standards for Pb in recycled tire material or synthetic turf, average concentrations were well below the EPA standard for lead in soil (400 ppm). On average, concentrations of components monitored in this study were below levels of concern.

Summary: Analysis of the laboratory-based leaching potential of metals in accordance with acceptable EPA methods indicates that metals will leach from the crumb rubber but in concentrations that are within ranges that could be expected to leach from native soil. Lastly, it can be concluded that the use of crushed basaltic stone as a base material in the construction of the athletic fields has a neutralizing effect on precipitation.

Summary: Analysis of crumb rubber samples digested in acid revealed that the lead concentration in the crumb rubber samples were well below the federal hazard standard for lead in soil and indicate that the crumb rubber from which the samples were obtained would not be a significant source of lead exposure if used as infill material in synthetic turf fields. A public health evaluation was conducted on the results from the ambient air sampling and concluded that the measured levels of chemicals in air at the Thomas
Jefferson and John Mullaly Fields do not raise a concern for non-cancer or cancer health effects for people who use or visit the fields.

Staph / MRSA

Summary: In conclusion, there are generally lower numbers of total microbes present in the infill or fibers of the synthetic turf systems tested compared to natural turfgrass rootzones and Staphylococcus aureus bacterium were not found on any of the playing surfaces. Staphylococcus aureus bacterium were found on towels and other devices used to train athletes.